Local Radar highlights bands that the local team at The Current is spinning heavily at their desks. You'll be able to preview a track from each as well as hear them on The Local Show and Local Current.

Sombear
I need to give a tip of the hat to Gimme Noise for publishing a write-up on Sombear last week. It’s the new solo project from Now, Now’s drummer Bradley Hale, who happens to also be an electro-production virtuoso in addition to his spot-on rhythmic sense. The song we opened The Local Show with last weekend has been floating around the internet for a little while, most notably spread by FILTER Magazine (who have shown Now, Now much love in the past).

Hale’s new music is in the tracking phase according to his last Facebook update, and it’s a wonderful expansion of the talent he has already showcased as a budding musician — after all, the guy is still in his early 20s. And the M83 flavor exhibited on “Incredibly Still” has an obvious, more youthful quality than the French mainstays, but doesn’t have an issue holding up on its own.

Stream: Sombear - "Incredibly Still"

Mike Dreams
Accolades are due for Mike Dreams’ new record Millennial. Since appearing on the circuit in 2007, Michael Alexander Hannah has been receiving awards and spreading awareness about gang and street violence and the potential for peace. This release certainly feels hopeful, especially with vocal spots from some of the area’s rising talents including K.Raydio, Alnansa, Christina Fisher and Ashley DuBose, who is featured on standout track “Still Standing Here.”

Born in south Minneapolis and currently living north of Downtown in Brooklyn Center, I like to think that Dreams is bringing these two regions of hip-hop together, a disconnect too often felt on that side of the Mississippi. Millennial is at once hard-hitting and bombastic and in the next filled with interludes and ballads. It’s a very impressive record for such a young artist.

The Millennial release party will be Saturday, August 11 at the 7th St. Entry with Maria Isa, Allan Kingtom, K.Raydio and DJ Gabe Garcia.

Stream: Mike Dreams - "Still Standing Here feat. Ashley DuBose" from Millennial

Actual Wolf
Eric Pollard is finally getting his own chance to shine in the solo realm after years of work with Low and Retribution Gospel Choir. He’s been back in the Twin Cities for much of the summer testing out his new performance moniker Actual Wolf, a Bob Dylan-esque revival that serves as a rightful ode to one of his favorite musicians.

There’s tinges of freak folk and warm country production in the mix coupled with Pollard’s honest lyricism. It’s just a generally feel-good listen and audiences seem to agree — his recent shows around town have all been well-received by casual listeners and critics alike. There’s no shortage of Actual Wolf performances in the distance: Wednesday, August 1st at the Amsterdam (and every Wednesday of the month thereafter) and Friday the 10th at the Aster are two immediate ways to see him.

The Lightning & The Wolf EP is out now digitally. “Bread” features Haley Bonar on guest vocals.

Stream: Actual Wolf - "Bread feat. Haley Bonar" from the Lightning & The Wolf EP